Welcome to Graphic Design » Michael Jacknesshttp://www.graphicdesign.com
The Premier Address For All Things Graphic DesignWed, 11 Feb 2015 16:04:57 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3Overview of Lynda.com’s recent online course: Illustrator for Web Design with Justin Seeleyhttp://www.graphicdesign.com/overview-of-lynda-coms-recent-online-course-illustrator-for-web-design-with-justin-seeley/
http://www.graphicdesign.com/overview-of-lynda-coms-recent-online-course-illustrator-for-web-design-with-justin-seeley/#commentsMon, 13 Aug 2012 13:59:01 +0000http://www.graphicdesign.com/?p=8012This newly released course from Justin Seeley, author and Adobe Certified Expert, teaches designers how to get started with Adobe Illustrator by learning the essential techniques and fundamentals of the software. Seeley walks designers through the core concepts of setting up documents for web and mobile application designs as well as how to use artboards for responsive layouts. Designers will explore the basic and advanced tools necessary for working with color palettes and swatches, layers, shapes and symbols, various text, and live image effects. He also teaches designers how to create web graphics, wireframes, website mockups, user interface elements, and image sprites. Through the course, Seeley reveals the necessary guidelines for full image optimization and exactly how to export images to the web to ensure high quality files using the smallest file size available. By the end of the course, all designers will have a firm understanding of how to use Adobe Illustrator to create truly timeless graphics and how to master the web design process.

Level: Appropriate for All
Length: 5h 27m
Release Date: July 30, 2012

Here is a preview of the tutorial to give you a good idea of what the tutorial is like:

]]>http://www.graphicdesign.com/overview-of-lynda-coms-recent-online-course-illustrator-for-web-design-with-justin-seeley/feed/0Graphic Design, Referenced – Reviewhttp://www.graphicdesign.com/article/graphic-design-referenced-review/
http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/graphic-design-referenced-review/#commentsWed, 14 Dec 2011 08:53:41 +0000http://www.graphicdesign.com/?post_type=article&p=1357At first glance, Graphic Design, Referenced: A Visual Guide to the Language, Applications, and History of Graphic Design by Bryony Gomez Palacio and Armin Vit appears to be very similar to dozens of other titles that are available on the market today. It does not take the reader long, however, to discover that this 400+ page, beautifully illustrated manuscript gives a timeless view into the world of graphic art and how it has evolved throughout modern times. Readers will find brilliantly displayed examples of graphic design elements, a list of the most common terms within the industry, examples of outstanding artists and projects; all delivered in a single volume.

Many critics have even gone as far as to say that Graphic Design, Referenced is the staple publication of the graphic design world and a must-read for anyone pursuing a profession within the field. While it would qualify as a standard history lesson of how graphic arts began, the title actually takes these concepts a lot further by focusing on why certain projects were significant, how specific artists revolutionized the industry, and what the future holds for talented artists.

In June of 201, Bryony and Armin stated to PrintMag, “Our 400-page book, Graphic Design, Referenced…took over our lives for the better part of a year and a half. Our dynamic was integral to making sure we finished it.”

Graphic Design, Referenced is made up of four distinct components:

– The introductory chapters, entitled “Principles”, are focused on defining commonly used terms, practices, and concepts within the field of Graphic Design. Its focus is to educate the reader on the basics of the industry and how it functions within our society.

– “Knowledge” shifts the content towards the realm of where Graphic Design is taught and practiced in the world today. This section explains nearly every aspect of the learning process that Graphic Designers go through while mastering the art and discusses how different forms of learning media affect our overall prospective.

– The chapters entitled “Representatives” takes into account the members of the Graphic Design world that have influenced the industry through inspirational campaigns, groundbreaking ideas, and superior long-term results. Both traditional and modern artists are recognized for their outstanding achievements and creations.

– The final section of Graphic Design, Referenced is entitled “Practice” and it showcases over a century of iconic works of art that have defined the industry as a whole. This section not only serves as an inspiration for current and upcoming artists but it also serves as a visual timeline within the field.

While there are several other quality graphic design books on the market today, none of them seem to compare to the way that Palacio and Vit have captured the industry as a whole. While this is quite a large publication with a lot for the reader to digest, the information is delivered in a relaxed, conversational tone that makes each of the chapters easy to follow. There are also over 2,000 design projects incorporated throughout this book and it is as visually pleasing as it is insightful.

Bryony Gomez Palacio and Armin Vit live together in Austin, Texas and work together professionally out of their modest home. Besides writing Graphic Design, Referenced and operating their own firm, the couple is also avid bloggers about the graphic arts world and easily considered two of the planet’s premiere experts on the subject. They have also co-written Women of Design and The Word It Book in recent years and created the website UnderConsideration to showcase their personal successes.

]]>http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/graphic-design-referenced-review/feed/0Graphic Artist’s Guild Handbook: 13th Editionhttp://www.graphicdesign.com/article/graphic-artists-guild-handbook-13th-edition/
http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/graphic-artists-guild-handbook-13th-edition/#commentsTue, 06 Dec 2011 22:22:59 +0000http://www.graphicdesign.com/?post_type=article&p=1298The 13th edition of the Graphic Artist’s Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines is a go-to manual for a diverse array of artists in the ever changing, ever evolving, graphic design industry. The book is a bit bulky, but contains all the information an artist would want and will need to start a thriving business as a graphic artist.

As a union, the Graphic Artist’s Guild’s goal is to support all creative professionals including graphic and web designers, illustrators, cartoonists and production artists. The Guild, a distinguished member of the Author’s Coalition of America, LLC (“ACA”) since 2002, has always operated with great respect, dignity, and diversity and has never failed. They have once again hit the mark with their newest edition. An encore performance and tangible proof to their support for each artist’s voice and fair treatment from their own communities to the business market place.

Whether you’re starting a freelance business, just doing a little work on the side, or need a quick reference, the Handbook gives guidance and overviews to all artistic professionals. You can find references for ethical industry standards and protocols, accepted pricing and fees for projects in the current market; help with understanding your legal rights, updated copyright laws, and up-to-date taxing information. The Handbook also provides sample contract forms, invoices, purchase orders, inventory forms and estimate sheets that are ready to use. It also provides a how-to approach for estimating possible projects at various levels, billing your clients, creating your own professional forms, documents, proposals and contracts along with excellent information on how to maintain professional relationships. This conglomeration of information is a very resourceful tool for business practices.

The Pricing section provides comprehensive information for all types of work including graphic design, web design, illustration, cartooning and animation and surface design. Descriptions of each of the graphic fields and price comparisons for the different types of work are listed in the Handbook. Some of the prices seem a bit on the high side but just keep in mind that they are giving a rough estimate based on current artist’s fees in today’s economy. As with any service, prices will vary all across the globe and a general comparison within your region is always recommended. A complete chapter is written to explain the use of and reasons for contracts, negotiations and lawyers within the graphic design business. The legal chapter contains copyright laws, moral and legal rights, fair practice and trademarks information to help preserve your work and appropriately use the work of others.

The Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines is very well organized, easy to read and useful in finding the information you need. It’s understandably presented and helps you, the graphic artist, make educated pricing decisions for your business. The easier this part of the business is for you, the more time you have to put into the parts of the business that you enjoy.

Although the cover design is a little below my expectations, it is still a great addition to your personal library. The Graphic Artist’s Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines provides helpful and comprehensive support at your fingertips!

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http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/online-collaboration-for-designers/#commentsWed, 23 Nov 2011 22:38:30 +0000http://www.graphicdesign.com/?post_type=article&p=1261Ask any design firm what the most tedious aspects of their daily routines are- you’ll probably be surprised by the answer. Although a few will complain about dealing with customers, creating cool InfoGraphics, or even last-minute project changes; their major frustration has always been within the realm of time management. Things like holding creative sessions, gaining approval from clients and starting new projects all take up a considerable amount of time and money. Up until recently, these types of setbacks were completely unavoidable. Today graphic design firms are significantly improving the efficiency of the internal and external collaboration processes with new online storage and collaboration tools.

What is Cloud Collaboration?

For those who do not understand how this technology works, online storage or cloud storage essentially means to move all of a company’s business files into an online network environment where documents, images, and thoughts can be shared freely. Since everything is stored in cyberspace, the business becomes mobile and the employees can literally work together and communicate far more effectively from anywhere in the world that has available Internet access. Clients and vendors can then be added into the mix and tasks like payroll, billing, and inventory control all become simplified as well.

Cloud Solutions for Graphic Designers

Online storage services have actually benefited graphic design firms more than the average business sector because so much of our daily work routine is based around creative team efforts. Take a relatively simple project like designing a restaurant menu, for example, and think about all the checkpoints necessary before a finished product can be delivered. Logos are designed, fonts are determined, the colors and layouts are shuffled, and all of this work requires approval from another department (and eventually the client) before the project can head out to the printer. Now all departments and customers can retrieve, review, comment and make changes in real time.
Those who embrace this technology almost immediately see-

While each benefit of online collaboration by itself is not necessarily game changing, together they make quite a powerful array of tools for just about any type of business in today’s world. Graphic designers are among the first industry to make the move “into the cloud” because it simply makes sense for the tech-savvy professionals to lead the charge, and now that this technology is time-tested and cost-effective there are few reasons not to make the switch.

For more information on choosing an online collaboration suite or finding out what type of storage needs your design firm requires, check out OnlineStorage.com’s brand new free cloud utility Storage Advisor Pro. It analyzes company hard drives and uses the results to pair businesses with the perfect cloud solution for their needs.

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http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/advice-graphic-design-student/#commentsMon, 14 Nov 2011 16:57:31 +0000http://www.graphicdesign.com/?post_type=article&p=1161Graphic Design is wonderfully challenging and rewarding occupation. Applying your creativity to problem solve your client’s project needs is a stimulating process, especially when your end product could end up in front of thousands or millions of eyeballs eventually.

While graphic design classwork will give you the technical skill and know how, you can’t be fully prepared to jump into the graphic design worlduntil you learn to manage some important, but often untaught skills.

Communication outweighs even creativity

No matter how gifted you are artistically, if you are unable to effectively communicate you will fail as a graphic designer. To be successful, you need to communicate well with your co-workers when working collectively or reporting to superiors on your progress. To be successful, you need to be able to understand your clients needs and express your suggestions while incorporating their feedback and direction. Lastly, to be successful, you need to be able to communicate well with the customer who will receive the graphic design project. If they don’t respond to it, all the other communication will ultimately fail.

You don’t necessarily know best

Graphic design is a collaborative process. Your superiors will give input. Your client will give input. You may solicit feedback from potential customers, or simply feel an absence of inspiration for a particular project. Remain humble so that you are able to really hear and process the input and feedback you receive. Even on those projects where you feel you know best and have the most experience, it never hurts to sublimate that urge to be right, in order to please your customer and have your project approved.

The More You Know, The More You Grow

Similar to the last piece of advice, seek out knowledge around you. Get to know about your client’s business. Learn about who is customers are or who they want them to be. Learn about their motivations and desires. Research the project and subsection of their industry that involves your project. Never be afraid to ask questions of everyone in the process.

Respect

Learn to respect everyone involved in the process. Address them by their name, not their title. Each person plays a vital role in your ultimate success, regardless of their rank. Clients may not agree with your direction, but respect their feedback and try to incorporate their concerns in any response you give. As you build your experience, portfolio and reputation, the respect you receive will grow. Don’t ever let your success convince you that only your opinion matters, because inevitably times will come when it fails you and you will seek inspiration from many sources outside yourself.
Accept Criticism

Not everyone, even in the best projects or campaigns, will agree with you. Learn to accept the criticism, but focus on what you can take constructively to improve upon things for the future. Shield yourself from feeling the criticism is on your, but rather your output or process. The feedback is always valuable, especially when you use it to analyze your own solutions.

Don’t Stand Still

Graphic design is always evolving as technology changes. Keep current on the latest innovations and procedures. Your designs are a technique or type of language, not to be confused with the core message you are seeking to communicate.

While passion and creativity are essential to be an effective graphic designer, learning the above life skills and incorporating them in your everyday actions will go a long way to ensuring success in the graphic design industry. Having a positive perspective and effectively relating to the people you encounter will give you a big boost as you try to differentiate yourself from the hordes of other wannabee designers.

]]>http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/advice-graphic-design-student/feed/2Being Your Own Bosshttp://www.graphicdesign.com/article/being-your-own-boss/
http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/being-your-own-boss/#commentsFri, 11 Nov 2011 20:03:43 +0000http://www.graphicdesign.com/?post_type=article&p=1151The graphic design industry is filled with creative individuals. They lend their unique perspectives and artistic visions to whatever project they are working on. It is that same independence of thought and action that sometimes makes them poor candidates for working in team or larger structured business settings. They can feel controlled and dread having their creativity reigned it by rigid corporate interests. Sometimes the best option for frustrated individuals is to consider starting their own business.

There is no greater sense of satisfaction than being your own boss when your business is successful. In order to help you process whether that path and the resulting challenges you will likely face, I’ve laid out eight areas of consideration:

Do It All – When you own your own business you have no one else to turn to. You have to make all the decisions in all areas of your business, creatively, customer service, sales, marketing, accounting and finance. You will need to be well versed in graphic design, web design and other art techniques.

Start It Right – If you are going to have a realistic chance to succeed you must take all the standard business steps to ensure you have thought through your project. Steps like writing out a business plan with a set investment, submitting business license paperwork for your state, registering and incorporating your business if necessary and establishing a tax identification number for your business transactions are a must.

Infuse the Business with Yourself – One of the best parts of your new business is it will directly reflect your personality in every aspect. Throw yourself into creating a strong logo, brand and business identity that distinguishes who you are and your strengths.

Farm It Out – Being your own boss doesn’t mean you can ignore those areas of the business you don’t like, but it does give you the right to sub-contract it out to selected individuals. Personally, I always disliked doing paperwork and accounting, so I was happy to pay out the extra expense to have a seasoned professional handle it for me and I could focus more of my energy on other more enjoyable aspects of the business. No one is an expert in all areas of your business. Strategize where you can get additional help for your business to have a better chance to succeed.

Specialize – As a one person company, you can’t chase graphic design work in the same way that a large company can with teams of diversely talented individuals. Look to focus your efforts in areas of particular interest or experience. Look around your local market to determine niches where you can compete and excel. You might target a particular type of business, or a specialized technique or approach within graphic design.

Network – You may only be one person, but with social media and many professional organizations and events, there are many opportunities to market yourself. Work your personal network and create incentives for people to refer work to you. You have been involved in networks throughout your life (i.e. school, jobs, hobbies), so utilize them now. A reference from someone who knows you will carry much further than approaching a mass of strangers. Find some edge (i.e. bundling services for a discount, loss leader work, convention or charity approach) that can distinguish you from the crowd. One friend in the business became proficient at getting free press in local newspapers by submitting his own articles, or competing in locally covered contests.

Keep Realistic Expectations – Running your own business is rarely as easy as it seems before you start it. It involves long hours with severe uncertainty. Keep your expectations realistic and your overhead low to prolong that start-up period as long as possible before you have to take more drastic action.

Resume/Portfolio Builder – The worst case scenario of you trying to build your graphic design business is it becomes a commercial failure. You are unable to get enough regular business to handle your overhead and pay yourself. But that experience can be very valuable to a future employer and to your own growth as a designer and business person. At the very least you have accelerated the development of your resume and portfolio from projects for which you were directly responsible. Whether you return to take more course, freelance or look for regular employment again, your experience of trying to build your own graphic design business will give you greater insight and appreciation for other aspects of the business than you had before.

]]>http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/being-your-own-boss/feed/0Finding a Graphic Design Jobhttp://www.graphicdesign.com/article/finding-graphic-design-job/
http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/finding-graphic-design-job/#commentsThu, 10 Nov 2011 03:42:03 +0000http://www.graphicdesign.com/?post_type=article&p=1093Graphicdesign.com is proud to relaunch our site with improved design and functionality. This will be an ongoing process so feel to give your feedback on how we can improve it further. One of the goals of the site is to be a resource for those who work in graphic design and for those who want to get into the graphic design industry.

Graphic design is a dynamic career that is evolving along with our technological advancement and you need to use them all in order to best find the right position for you in the industry. It is not enough to just be a creative and hard working individual. You need to know how to network, present yourself well and often be a valued team member.

I thought it might be helpful to give some concrete helpful hints on how you can go about finding the right graphic design job for you.

1. Be Self-Aware and Confident – No worker or artist is perfect in every area. We all have strengths and weaknesses. The more you are aware of yours, the better you can present yourself and explain ways how you overcome any weaknesses. it is not enough to say it, but you have to demonstrated it. Reasonable confidence is key to your ability to communicate your experience and abilities. Over-represent yourself and you will come off cocky. Under-represent yourself and you won’t be seen as up to the job. Showing how you have overcome adversity on your resume and in your interview can demonstrate a strength and perseverance that employers relish.

2. Prepare and Find the Right Fit – No one forces you to apply for a job. You apply because you have determined that you want the job and feel that you have the ability to do the job. Do your potential employer a favor and spend some time determining if that’s the case before you take up their time. Examine your skills, potential and interest to find the right fit for your experience and ability. If you aren’t prepared for a particular position, go out and find experience or further skill development that will prepare you to make a positive impact in the position and return to claim the position with renewed confidence.

3. Presentation – Before you get to meet your prospective employer for an interview, it is likely they will first evaluate you from reviewing your resume and portfolio. These documents are your first impression. Invest your time in developing an accurate and professional resume and portfolio of your previous work. You should be prepared to deliver your credentials live or online with equal ease. Your documents begin to reveal what type of person you are and whether you are worthy to continue to the interview phase.

4. Networking – Once you have your resume and portfolio in order, you need to locate the type of graphic position you are qualified for and interest you. There are a host of methods to network:

Job Forums/Boards online – much like GraphicDesign is currently developing.

Social Networking – use your Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and any blogging opportunities to promote yourself and indicate your search for a quality position. Be aware that potential employers will also use these social networking tools to evaluate you, so make sure you represent yourself well on them.

Traditional printed classifieds – used sparingly, but they can reach a different audience.

Graphic design forums – become active in any online or live community of graphic designers is a natural opportunity to spread the word of your job search and collectively brainstorm how to find your dream job.

Once you locate your dream job, pursue it with vigor. Once you get to an interview, impress them with your abilities and potential. Your design history is one key to your potential, but so is your drive and passion. Make sure they see what value you can bring to their company.

]]>http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/finding-graphic-design-job/feed/0Sources of Inspirationhttp://www.graphicdesign.com/article/sources-of-inspiration/
http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/sources-of-inspiration/#commentsTue, 08 Nov 2011 12:35:54 +0000http://gd.apnicservers.com/?post_type=article&p=1031As a graphic designer, one of your major challenges that you face on a daily basis is finding creative inspiration. Whether it be for your own project or that of a valued client, continually coming up with original designs and perspectives is a challenge. You may achieve inspirations for several days or weeks running and then it disappears. You feel like you’ve used up all your good ideas and the well feels empty. It is in those times that a disciplined approach to seeking out new inspiration is helpful.

There is no shame is seeking outside influences. All great art and design is inspired by something that came before, mixed with your own creative direction. The key to finding new forms of inspiration is identifying concrete ways of surveying the world around you. One can do that by looking at both time and space variants.

Sources of Inspiration

1. Time Perspective – Although you have a desire to have a forward looking original design, looking to different time frames can be quite helpful. There are many design styles that have been created over the decades. Whether it be baroque, romanticism, realism, art deco, cubism, minimalism, abstractionism, postmodern or digital art, each artistic style had its own style and approach. A closer look at the times that these different art styles flourished in can provide additional sources of inspiration. Another way to have time provide inspiration is to allow for your perspective to be influenced by the speeding up or slowing down of viewing time. High speed photography or slow motion video can be great perspective shifting mechanisms of inspiration.

2. Geography – While the internet is the seemingly easiest resource for your research, don’t limit yourself to just that which is found online. Removing yourself your traditional work and play locales, can introduce you to new layouts and designs that appeal to different needs, can be sources of inspiration. Whether it be the human constructed elements of a city’s architecture or wandering out in natural environments that are relatively untouched by man, each can create inspirational elements for you.

3. Music – Music has the ability to transport you to a different time and place. It infuses you with the melodic and lyrical creativity of the artist. Listening to different types of music than you are accustomed to can go a long way in changing your mindset and frame of reference for your current project.

4. Art – Similarly to music, viewing the art and craft of others with different perspectives can provide tremendous inspiration to you on your project. Whether it be at a museum or in a more commercial setting like a mall, or product design magazine, viewing other designer and artist work can provide new perspective and inspiration.

5. Space – Due to our human limitations of height and bi-pedal walking, we view our environment from a certain vantage point. Changing that vantage point can help alter your perspective. Going above, below, sideways or adding some filter that changes your perspective can help you to view your subject or project with a whole new perspective. Another way to change your vantage is to move closer and further away. Whether you move to a global or universal perspective, or magnify the subject to it’s infinite detail and underlying elements, both can give a new way of seeing your project.

6. Commercial – While I find the above choices to be more helpful to create original work of your own, another alternative is to view the work of competitors. Go to a mall, or a bookstore, or a library to view the work of other designers and commercial artists. Seeing their work in action, or reading it in a book or magazine can demonstrate other concrete styles that can provide inspiration.

A methodology of exploration and inspiration can be developed with each of the six areas mentioned. At different times or with different projects you may want to employ different ones when you run short on inspiration. Keeping your mind open and flexible in perspective will allow your innate creativity to shine through for each new project.

]]>http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/sources-of-inspiration/feed/0Marketing Your Infographichttp://www.graphicdesign.com/article/marketing-your-infographic/
http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/marketing-your-infographic/#commentsSun, 06 Nov 2011 22:29:21 +0000http://gd.apnicservers.com/?post_type=article&p=1027Once you create a compelling infographic, your main goals are to have it seen and to attract backlinks. You want to have your hard work seen by a wide audience of people who will value the presentation and help you spread the word to their networks. The methods for promoting your infographic are not unlike what you might use to promote other web-worthy work of yours, so the advice here carries over to the promotional and networking process in general nowadays.

Recommendations

1. Press Release – A well constructed infographic is definitely worthy of a stand alone press release. It allows you to share the context and background behind the data on your featured infographic. The key is to identify the compelling information and it’s relevance to your audience. You are seeking online media coverage for a significant artistic and informational contribution in your industry so make sure you write your release so it comes off as newsworthy. If successful, your SEO optimized press release sent to the right individuals will help you generate visibility, traffic, backlinks and improved keyword rankings.

2. Social Network Distribution – Once you have put together a professional press release, you want it to get it in front of key influencers of your industry. The goal isn’t necessarily to contact as many people as possible, but rather to reach those key media personnel and bloggers who have large audiences and can help you reach the masses through a powerful recommendation of sorts. Their endorsement and promotion will push your infographic more than likely any other method. Offering to collaborate or exchange links and promotion can make the more casual interchange feel like both parties gain in the exchange. Internet marketing site, VerticalMeasures, shared a couple good free options for helping you reach the right audience easily Presskit’n and PitchEngine. Sending an email to your own personal email list of customers is also cost-efficient and direct, but not nearly the affect of reaching new influencers and eyeballs who aren’t aware of your work yet. With email, e-newsletter and influencer press releases you want to include multiple forms of social sharing buttons as not everyone will uses the same methods.

All your work, especially a featured item like your infographic should be shared on all the social media channels that you use; Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn and others. Having your infographic liked, +1, shared or linked to a popular #hashtag can increase it’s reach. Recommending a image sharing/organizing site like Pinterest is also a good idea.

3. Blog it! – Naturally you would feature the infographic heavily on your site, but featuring a special blog post about your infographic can reach a different audience and help create context and a reason why people might find your infographic more compelling to the hundreds they encounter nowadays. The same applies here of offering sharing options and even an embedding option.

4. Bookmarking – Using bookmarking services to share your content like Digg, Reddit, StumbleUpon, and Delicious can help you to spread the word. It helps if you already have a profile and presence on the site so it’s not seen as selfish and predatory promotion of your site. People more easily promote your work when you support theirs. VerticalMeasures also recommends Onlywire which allows to push your release in infograhic to a bunch of sites at once.

5. Picture Linking Sites – There are a number of image hosting and organizing sites that many people peruse. Sharing your picture, with a profile and link back to your site, can reach a different audience than some of the above options. Sites like Flickr, CoolInfographics, DailyInfographic, Visual.ly, SubmitInfographics, BestInfographics, and Visual Loop are some VerticalMeasures recommendations.

Conclusion

Like in all areas of business, it is your relationship with a few key individuals that will ultimately help you reach the biggest audience. An endorsement from a key blogger, site or media person will carry much further than an anonymous listing or blast to complete unknowns. Do your research on reaching the right people and approach them in a human and personal way with the value of your infographic. If you’ve been effective and the infographic is easily accessible by enlargeable thumbnail, the receiving individual will be curious to see your efforts. Make sure to thank anyone who is kind enough to actually help promote your work.

There are many tools to spread the word about your infographic. Make sure your infographic is worthy of all these efforts, so that you can build off your new reputation as a key information deliverer for future projects.

Your options expand considerably if you can invest in your promotion, but there are plenty of free options already listed to get the word out.
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]]>http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/marketing-your-infographic/feed/0Why Invest in Infographics?http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/importance-of-infographics/
http://www.graphicdesign.com/article/importance-of-infographics/#commentsSat, 05 Nov 2011 21:41:31 +0000http://gd.apnicservers.com/?post_type=article&p=1018No area of graphic design and web informational marketing is hotter than infographics. The source of this new boom can be laid on the doorsteps of Google’s February 2011 declaration that original content would be prioritized. Infographicsgrabbed hold of the public consciousness as a new way to spin established data in a stylish and original manner and be richly rewarded by Google’s search ranking spiders. Infographics simply put to imagery what plain text and graphs did before. They meld the statistician with the graphic artist that when done well is greater than the sum of its parts.

The Challenge

The problem with any new fad or trend is that it can be over done or simply done poorly to satisfy some expedient goal. There are those that have already come to the conclusion that infographics are already over-used and can take too much time to creative for their potential payoff, but few can argue that the combination of more artful and creative presentation with valuable data has lifted the art form. If that’s what it takes to received valuable bank links increase viewer engagement, and drive key site traffic to unique content, then it’s worth the investment. With the trend of people spending more hours online than they do watching television, it will only increase the need create innovative ways of grabbing the web attention of these overwhelmed by data viewers. The engaged viewer serves as a key partner in dispersal of your content through the easy to use social media options.

The advantages of investing in infographics:

1. Traditional text heavy article clutter is replaced by a more visual and textured display of key information.2. The graphic layout and creative display options allows you to give your own emphasis versus the more egalitarian and limited text and font display.3. The artistic rendering of the data transforms the information from just data to a graphic plus data connection in the viewers memory.4. Google has expressly indicated that this type of unique content will allow you to better leverage link building and search ranking tactics to promote your site than previous content and link-farm methods.5. Infographics done well can make the viewer key in on the key issues better, thus better influencing them in a particular direction.

Achieving that last goal, “infographics done well” isn’t a given. There is a delicate balance between between being too arty and being too text. While simplicity is key, there needs to be enough original artist contribution to make your project impactful and worthwhile.

Considerations to keep in mind when creating an infographic:

1. You want viewers to easily grasp the essence of your infographic. Simplicity of message, but complexity of delivery. You don’t want your artisty and organization to be a distraction where it is too busy, too short or lengthy, too texty, or too many images.2. Plan out your theme in advance, while mapping out the layout and what you want the viewers to take away from the infographic before you get too involved in its creation. Don’t be afraid to draw conclusions from your evaluation of the research, data and facts.3. Your data doesn’t need to be unique or original, but it should be researched well with an emphasis on picking out helpful and valuable information that might not have been seen this way before. While there are many publicly available research studies conducted by governmental agencies, if you are using privately generated information make sure you request permission and cite if the data or facts are proprietary.4. If the viewer can’t grasp a sense of the infographic within a couple seconds, they are likely to disengage quickly. “KISS” – keep it simple stupid.5. For designers, keep in mind that it is legible and scalable as a thumbnail won’t give it adequate justice, but should still have compelling visual features at all sizes.
6. Make sure to include some SEO-intended copy that sums up your pieces and you must have the URL embedded in the code along with all the recommended social sharing options.